Changing screen resolution

[Peter]

Hi guys,
My wife has been given a programme that she wants to use but it will only
function with a screen resolution of 256 colours? I know I can change the
resolution from the desktop but I would like some way of changing the
resolution from within a shortcut to the programme, then some way of
changing it back as the programme exits. Is this possible and if so how do I
do it.

Many thanks

Peter

 

[AllenM]

Maual only Peter. Not automated function to change display resolution. Tight
click on your desktop. Properties/Settings tab.

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Hi Peter,

You want to use Application compatibility. Through this feature, you can run older programs under
Windows XP. One very good resource on the usage of this feature is:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/appcompat.mspx

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org

In memory of Alex Nichol
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[Rock]

Hi guys,
My wife has been given a programme that she wants to use but it will only
function with a screen resolution of 256 colours? I know I can change the
resolution from the desktop but I would like some way of changing the
resolution from within a shortcut to the programme, then some way of
changing it back as the programme exits. Is this possible and if so how do I
do it.

Many thanks

Peter

From XP's help and support files:

To switch your display to 256 colors:

Some games and other software programs require that your monitor be set
to 256 colors, or they run better in 256 colors. Many of those programs
will switch your monitor to 256 colors automatically when you start the
program. For those that don't, follow the steps below if you want to
switch the display temporarily while the game or program is running.

1. On your desktop or on the Start menu, right-click the game or other
program that you want to run in 256 colors, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Compatibility tab.
3. Select the Run in 256 colors check box.

Notes

The screen will revert to your default color quality when you close the
program.

Try switching to 256 colors if your software program shows the wrong
color or the graphics redraw slowly.

If your software program appears in a small window in the center of your
screen, you can increase its size by changing your screen resolution
temporarily. Follow the procedure above, but in step 3 select the Run in
640x480 screen resolution check box. Your screen resolution will revert
to its previous resolution when you close the program.

The Compatibility tab is available only for programs or games located on
your computer's hard disk. It is not available if the program is stored
on a floppy disk, compact disk, or a network.

 

[Peter]

Thanks gentlemen for your suggestions, I have tried compatibility mode but
it just does not work, the programme works OK if I manually change the
resolution but if I change the resolution in compatibility mode it appears
in 256 colours but then fails when screen updating takes place with an out
of memory message.
Thanks for your help

Peter

 

[Bob I]

start program with a bat file and include the multires screen switch as
part of the file

http://www.entechtaiwan.net/util/multires.shtm

Like this provided one

: batch file
multires.exe /800,600,32
start /w iexplore.exe
multires.exe /restore

For more examples and explanations, please refer to the documentation
included with MultiRes.

Thanks gentlemen for your suggestions, I have tried compatibility mode but
it just does not work, the programme works OK if I manually change the
resolution but if I change the resolution in compatibility mode it appears
in 256 colours but then fails when screen updating takes place with an out
of memory message.
Thanks for your help

Peter